Cobra Brakes on an X!....complete..

[gumby]

The 95-97 Ranger spindle has a different bearing surface profile, so more research would be needed to find an acceptable hub.

Ryan

gotcha.

I wish someone with a 95-01 2WD truck would do the research to see if a 95-01 2WD rotor could be machined to make a hub locating a 4WD rotor onto it. My brake parts would bolt to that.

check out a guy over on RPS. s/n Racin' Ranger. he may have some information for you.
here is his original thread. good read!
http://www.rangerpowersports.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148557

 

[Spdrcer34]

I have read that thread a few times...

It's some good info...

Ryan

 

[CDW6212R]

I commented there and asked about the 95-01 2WD rotor/hub. He suggested that it may be possible, that would save those truck owners some hard work.

 

[Highroller]

Why not on a 2wd 95-01, switch over to 4wd spindles and hubs w/o the front driveshafts because 2wd?? I will be doing the conversion on my '97 X this way, unless someone has some magical reason you can't put 4wd spindles on a 2wd!! I don't remember seeing any difference about front end parts when rebuilding, besides everything associated with the 4wd sealed hubs(brake rotors/spindles/with no bearings&grease). I have an entire '03 10th Anv Cobra set-up, just need to make a spindle to pbr caliper adaptor like i did on my Merkur xr4ti. I am planning on keeping the ABS also, I need to get thru Christmas and then it's on......

 

[CDW6212R]

The outer section of a 4WD axle shaft is required to hold the hub and bearings together. Others have for short term stuck a broken axle in there before.

 

[Highroller]

Sounds like I will be putting that front diff and axles in, using all this for a while with no transfer case shouldn't hurt anything.....Thanks for the heads up!!!! But about that broken axle comment, I could bolt the end of a 4wd shafts in, no??

 

[CDW6212R]

I recall seeing a picture, I believe that was someone installing air bags and needed the axles out of the way.

 

[87vertgt]

Dam Ryan...killer enginuity...I think thats how you spell it?

Looks hot.....I bet it feels better too...

Also guys...I found cobra calipers/pads on ebay for $200 and $200 for the rotors....not sure about the rear.....

ALso....you can get custom calipers brake lines for $100.00 from max motorsports.

 

[CDW6212R]

I get brake lines custom made in town for about $50 per pair.

 

[Spdrcer34]

Cobra Calipers are available from Schucks, AZ, NAPA...you name it....and they're cheaper than $200/pair.

But the 10th Anniversary ones (with the COBRA Lettering) are harder to get a good deal on.

Ryan

 

[87vertgt]

Cobra Calipers are available from Schucks, AZ, NAPA...you name it....and they're cheaper than $200/pair.

But the 10th Anniversary ones (with the COBRA Lettering) are harder to get a good deal on.

Ryan

yeah the Powder coated one's are sweet...I wondnt put the normal PBR calipers on......

I found some at the junk yard for $45.00...they didnt know what they have after you are done....

 

[87vertgt]

I get brake lines custom made in town for about $50 per pair.

sweet! sounds like a deal......Are they Teflon lined or stainless braided?

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Well, the FIRST post I made on this subject is in the Modified First Gen section (like I mentioned in post #1).....

Check out the pics:


Stock Brakes, un-modified spindle.


Early Mustang Drum Brake Hub, Un-Modified Spindle


Cobra Disc mounted on Early Mustang Drum Brake Hub, Un-Modified Spindle


Close-up of Spindle 'ears' that need to be modified (cut off)


Modified Spindle, and the pieces that need to be cut off


Cobra Disc/Mustang Hub Assembly Mounted to Modified Spindle



STOCK Brakes in an 18" Wheel:



COBRA Brakes in an 18" Wheel



I like how the disc is pushed out, towards the spokes of the wheel, putting on display more-so than the stock set-up.



Here it is before the wheel got bolted up...


Ryan

Are the spindles and hubs the same piece? I'm a tad bit confused... Looks like it might be two pieces, or one piece together? I'm also interested in the mounting of the caliper, I see you cut off the ears of the spindle, did you fabricate a piece for the caliper to bolt into? Is that where the machien shop came into play?

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

Just read it again, and this is what I've come up with... Rotor mounted to hub, hub/rotor mounted onto spindle? Then spindle ears cut off and bracket created to mount calipers, then you install your balljoints and everything and reinstall like normal?

Sorry for the mulitple posts, just trying to wrap my head around the process

 

[sjr033]

Spdrcer34 I want to commend you for a great job and a great project. More people on here need to be conserned about their break perfomance. Not just the street guys but anyone with a larger tire or rim than stock. Any time you increase rolling mass your breaks suffer. Also Spdrcer34, I would not look at the number of comments you get, I would look at the number of reads. We all know some people are just padding the post numbers.

 

[Turdle]

I subscribed from the beginning--
I didn't want to dirty your thread with a "thats cool" comment.

If this was to work for my 98 then I'd reallt be interested. Not having a gen 1 of my own though kind of keeps me out of the conversation.

It is a great mod though-
Any vehicle could use better brakes, and they sure do look better.

 

[Spdrcer34]

Josh...

Yes.

Start with a 1968 Mustang Drum Brake Hub
Install Wheel Studs

Cut off the 'ears' from the spindle
Weld up the spindle on the low spot to build up the material to be able to drill through the spindle(Spindle is Cast Steel....heat it slow, cool it slow)

Install Mustang Hub onto Explorer Spindle
Mount the 13" Cobra Rotor onto the hub/spindle assembly
Slide the caliper housing onto the mounted rotor.

From this point it's just a matter of measuring, and cutting to get the bracket made. I slightly modified the hub to off set the thickness of the rotor (i.e. cut the 'cups' for the bearing races about .22"..and made a corresponding back cut into the wheel seal 'cup')

It's been a while since I did this mod. It's a daily driver, and I'll never get over how awesome these brakes feel.

If I were to do it again though, I think I'd start with a Ranger Spindle...as they eventually went to Bolt-on calipers, but kept the I-beam suspension, until 1997. The only issue from there would be to find a set of bearings that work OR find a hub that works.

Ryan

 

[jah81592]

Do you have pics of how the bracket is bolted to the spindle. Something is amiss.I am obviously having a brain fart. Have you tried the gen 2 yet?-j

 

[Spdrcer34]

Here is the pic of the adapter bar installed on the spindle.



And here the spindle is mounted on the vehicle, with the Caliper bracket bolted to the spindle/bracket assembly.



Ryan

 

[Blacksheep Josh]

that picture explains a LOT. thanks for the replies, hopefully i can get my X going this summer...